FRIENDSWOOD, Texas – The attorneys leading the defense for murder suspect Connor Hilton say that mental health will be a key part of the 17-year-old’s defense.
Hilton faces a murder charge for the Dec. 23 shooting death of Ethan Riley, 18, and aggravated assault in the shooting injury of 20-year-old Ben Bliek.
Bliek remains in a hospital and was listed as being in critical condition.
Friendswood police said Hilton was able to get a hold of his mother’s pistol and opened fire at his house.
Police allege in a charging document that Hilton told investigators he thought about and wanted to commit a homicide for a long time.
Hilton, under an agreement reached by his defense attorneys, prosecutors and District Court Judge Kerry Neves, is out on bond, totaling $1.5 million.
During a Sunday interview, attorneys Adam Brown and J.L. Carpenter said the case will likely hinge on Hilton’s mental health.
“We do feel that this is a case where mental health is going to come into play,” Brown said.
The 17-year-old Friendswood High School student was already in therapy for an undisclosed reason prior to the shooting, Carpenter confirmed.
As conditions of his release, Hilton will be staying with family in Harris County, wear an ankle monitor and will only be allowed to leave the home to visit his therapist.
He can go in the backyard, but he can’t even take the dog out for a walk around the block, Brown noted while stressing the restrictive bond conditions.
“The bond conditions are extremely strict and he checks in every single day,” Brown said.